Tuyển tập báo cáo các nghiên cứu khoa học quốc tế ngành y học dành cho các bạn tham khảo đề tài:Stiff person syndrome presenting with sudden onset of shortness of breath and difficulty moving the right arm: a case report | Goodson et al. Journal of Medical Case Reports 2010 4 118 http content 4 1 118 jA CASE REPORTS CASE REPORT Open Access Stiffperson syndrome presenting with sudden onset of shortness of breath and difficulty moving the right arm a case report Bradley Goodson1 Kate Martin 2 and Thomas Hunt2 Abstract Introduction First described in 1956 stiff person syndrome is characterized by episodes of slowly progressive stiffness and rigidity in both the paraspinal and limb muscles. Although considered a rare disorder stiff person syndrome is likely to be under-diagnosed due to a general lack of awareness of the disease in the medical community. Case presentation A 27-year-old Hispanic woman presented to our emergency department with a sudden onset of shortness of breath and difficulty moving her right arm. Her physical examination was remarkable in that her abdomen was firm to palpation and her right upper extremity was rigid on passive and active ranges of motion. Her right fingers were clenched in a fist. Her electromyography findings were consistent with stiff person syndrome in the right clinical setting. Stiff person syndrome is confirmed by testing for the anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody. Her test for this was positive. Conclusion Stiff person syndrome may not be a common condition. However if disregarded in the differential diagnosis it can lead to several unnecessary tests being carried out causing a delay in treatment. This case report reveals some of the characteristic features of stiff person syndrome with an atypical presentation. Introduction In 1956 Moersch and Woltman of the Mayo Clinic described an unusual condition of muscle stiffening and difficulty walking. They coined it stiff man syndrome 1 . A more appropriate name stiff person syndrome SPS was later suggested as the condition affects both sexes possibly more women than men. Although considered a rare disorder SPS is under-diagnosed due to a general .
